Close Up Interview with Artist Girija Kulkarni

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

I am a nature lover artist from India now settled in Sydney with my husband and son. Basically I was working as a visualizer in advertising industry in India and doing exhibitions part time, now trying to work as a full time artist! I have my small studio in my home and I paint natural elements in watercolour, mostly birds and flowers!

Where do you get your inspiration from when you paint?

Nature is an amazing thing that inspire me constantly with its shapes, colours and patterns! In the natural elements my favourite element is bird, I love paint different types of birds, I try to capture different moods and colours of birds. I love that force of any bird when it takes off to fly high in the sky! Very small and tiny flowers inspire me by their detail designs and shapes.

What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?

“Passionate” for art, “hardworking”, “discipline”, “dedication” and the mostly people who know me will say “dreamer”

“Flame” – Watercolour 30 x 40cm $250

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?

My first job was in an advertising company which was mostly in the print media, I was working there as a visualizer, did the several designs for company logos, small advertisements, book covers and illustrations for books and animation story boards, I have lots of experience in the digital industry but fine arts is my passion! After the birth of my son I started working with one stain glass artist in her studio, to help her in designing part. And now from last two years I am here in Sydney and working as a full time artist!

How do you usually plan your daily activities?

My day normally start with daily house chores but after school and office guys leave the house it becomes my studio and full day I work as people work in the office!

As an artist, what is your biggest frustration?

There are lots of frustrations as an artist but the biggest is how people generally react when you say that “I am an artist”!

Tell us about how you prioritise your art?

When you have a family it is very hard to find the real quality time for serious art but I always try to balance both, my family and my art as well! When its family time its family time but when it’s my time its “art” time!

How do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?

Basically because of studied in an art college all my friends are mostly artists, other than now days’ social media is the best way to make friends in your same field and interests! When I started as an artist in Sydney “ARTSHINE GALLERY” is my real support to connect with the customers, my facebook page and my website www.artbygirija.com is also helping me to connect with the customers!

Your advice to artist who are just starting out?

I think as an emerging artist you have to convince yourself that not to feel bad to tell others that “you are an artist!” and don’t feel shy to promote your art!

Tell us about your up coming group Art exhibition at ArtSHINE Gallery?

In February 2016 I and James Mathurin were selected as joint winners of the “CELEBRATE DIVERSITY” competition, and we got this wonderful opportunity to showcase our work jointly in the ARTSHINE GALLERY! Basically diversity is the common factor in this show “Different Worlds” which will showcase very different artworks, mediums, colors, patterns and sizes! Actually you will find different thoughts is our artworks, but not as a comparison but as a diversion! My work is natural and realistic way, with colorful elements in nature I work in watercolor medium with natural flow! And James is more in science and fantasy, his medium is digital and line work with different approach! You will enjoy this wonderful “different worlds” experience with history and fantasy through natural colors and elements!

“I am Wild”

What is your proudest moment so far?

I guess, getting this wonderful opportunity to showcase my artworks to Sydney as a winner is the proudest moment for me so far!

Who do you most want to meet and why?

I know the person I want to meet is the wish which will never be fulfil, because that person is my most favourite artist “Frida Kahlo”! actually I was not aware of this great artist when I was a student in an art collage, but ones accidently I got know about her work and her biography! And I really amazed by this Mexican lady, she is real inspiration for me in the world of art!

“Lily in Aqua”

What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?

“I would rather die of passion than of boredom” by Vincent Van Gogh. I believe this sentence, do the things which you like from your heart and die for it! Don’t get scar of the mistakes ever, they are the good teachers of our life!

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?

I like to read books but I read mostly in my native language, and frankly speaking in this two years I have got no time to read a single page!

“She is not alone”

Where do we find you and your art?

I am a residence artist at ArtSHINE Gallery since in late Novemeber . You can see my earlier works and come to our opening “Different Worlds” on Saturday 4th of February and my latest works will be showcase with my artist friend James Mathurin.